Bad bushfire season ahead

A Territory bushfire brigade is warning that this year's bushfire season is shaping to be a more busy and dangerous period than usual.

The captain of the Darwin River Volunteer Bushfire Brigade David Mullavey has told the ABC's Country Hour program that his unit has already attended eleven wildfires this month.

"I'd say it's going to be a very hectic season this year as compared to last year for a start because everything has dried out a lot quicker.

"But while the grass has dried the ground is still very wet the top two of three inches look very hard till you drive on it."

Mr Mullavey has also expressed concern that Telstra's decision to switch off the CDMA mobile phone network tonight will hamper its ability to fight fires.

He says the Next G network still doesn't give a better service than CDMA.

"There are areas where the Next G network or whatever it is it does not send. It goes in and out, where the CDMA used to work all the time. Same thing out some of the places back here like off Peacock Road. CDMA used to work quite well the new thing goes in and out."

Mr Mullavey says he's been told by Telstra that once the old network is closed Next G will provide better services in those areas.